Supporting an object at a window of a building by applying opposing forces to an interior surface and an exterior surface of the building

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting an object at a window of a building comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member extends along at least a partial width of the window and abuts an interior surface of the building. The first member is configured to support the object by exerting an outward force on the interior surface of the building in response to a downward force exerted by the object. The first member also comprises at least two sections extending from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building. These sections may extend from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building about respective distal ends of the first member. The sum of the forces applied on the surfaces of the building are sufficient to secure the object to the building.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/958,453, filed Aug. 2, 2013 and entitled “SUPPORTING ANOBJECT AT A WINDOW OF A BUILDING BY APPLYING OPPOSING FORCES TO ANINTERIOR SURFACE AND AN EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE BUILDING,” and isrelated to co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/226,448, filed Mar. 26, 2014 and entitled “SUPPORTING AN OBJECTAT A WINDOW OF A BUILDING BY APPLYING OPPOSING FORCES TO AN INTERIORSURFACE AND AN EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE BUILDING,” the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Objects such as air conditioning units, plants, animal food and housing,decorative arrangements, and the like, are often secured adjacent to orpartially within building windows, where a portion of those objects arelocated outside of the building. Since a portion of the object islocated beyond the exterior of a building, there exists a potential foran object to fall from the window to the surface below. Of course, thisis particularly problematic in urban areas, where several of suchobjects may be found in a single building, several stories above theground surface.

As a result, strict safety regulations have been developed in some urbanareas with regard to the installation and maintenance of, e.g., windowair conditioning units. For example, the New York City Building Codesets forth specific guidelines that must be adhered to when such a unitis installed. Further, to date, air conditioners and other objects havebeen attached to a building utilizing support structures that are builtinto the building itself. As such, if the support system falters or isremoved, the building is permanently altered or damaged. Therefore, aneed exists for an object support apparatus that provides sufficientsafety and does not damage or otherwise modify the building to which issecured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus for supporting anobject at a window of a building according to the inventive conceptsdescribed herein; and

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus for supporting anobject at a window of a building according to the inventive conceptsdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methodsfor supporting various objects about a window of a building whilecomplying with municipal ordinances and other applicable safetyrequirements and not requiring any modification and/or damage to thebuilding or window itself. Such objects include air conditioning units,plants, animal food and housing, decorative arrangements, and the like.

According to an embodiment, an apparatus for supporting an object at awindow of a building comprises a first member, a second member, and athird member. The first member extends along at least a partial width ofthe window and abuts an interior surface of the building. The firstmember is configured to support the object by exerting an outward forceon the interior surface of the building in response to a downward forceexerted by the object. The first member also comprises at least twosections extending from the interior of the building to the exterior ofthe building. These sections may extend from the interior of thebuilding to the exterior of the building about respective distal ends ofthe first member.

The second member is coupled to one of first member sections extendingfrom the interior of the building to the exterior of the building. Also,the second member is configured to support the object by exerting aninward force on an exterior surface of the building in response to thedownward force exerted by the object.

The third member is coupled to another of the first member sectionsextending from the interior of the building to the exterior of thebuilding. Similar to the configuration of the second member, the thirdmember is also configured to support the object by exerting an inwardforce on the exterior surface of the building in response to thedownward force exerted by the object.

The sum of the outward force extorted by the first member on theinterior surface of the building and the inward forces exerted by thesecond member and the third member on the exterior surface of thebuilding are sufficient to oppose the downward force of the object. Inother words, the sum of the outward force exerted by the first member onthe interior surface of the building and the inward forces exerted bythe second member and the third member on the exterior surface of thebuilding are sufficient to support the object at the window.

Each of the first, second, and third members may be reversibly coupledto one another. That is, according to some embodiments, the first memberis reversibly coupled to each of the second member and the third member.Further, in other embodiments, the second member and the third memberare reversibly coupled to one another, e.g., at some location along thelength of the first member. The coupling mechanism may be adjustablesuch that the dimensions of the apparatus may be adjusted in terms oflength, width, and height, to accommodate objects of different sizes.Each member may couple to the other via, e.g., a slideable adjustmentmechanism.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus for supporting an objectat a window of a building comprises a first member and a second member.Each of the first member and the second member comprise an interiorsection extending along at least a partial width of the window andabutting an interior surface of the building. The interior sections areconfigured to support the object by exerting an outward force on theinterior surface of the building in response to a downward force exertedby the object. The first member and second member also compriseintermediate sections that extend from the interior section at theinterior of the building to the exterior of the building. Further, thefirst member and second member comprise exteriors sections that extendfrom the intermediate sections and are configured to support the objectby exerting an inward force on an exterior surface of the building inresponse to the downward force exerted by the object. The first andsecond members are coupled to one another at least at their respectiveinterior sections and exterior sections.

Certain embodiments may be modular, comprising components that are ofadjustable dimensions and configurations, being able to accommodatestandard (albeit different) building dimensions and materials, windowdimensions, and objects of various dimensions. This modularity alsoprovides for easy packaging, assembly, and repair or flexiblearrangement and use. Components of systems and apparatuses according tothe inventive concepts are thought to advantageously comprise one or acombination of lightweight materials that impart sufficient strengthsuch as, for example, steel, aluminum, or fiber-reinforced plastic, andthe like. Accordingly, the entire weight of the object is supported bysystems and apparatuses without modification and/or damage to theadjoining building.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus for supporting anobject at a window of a building according to inventive conceptsdescribed herein. According to the embodiment illustrated at FIG. 1,apparatus 100 comprises first member 101, second member 102, and thirdmember 103. First member first member 101 is engaged with second member102 and third member 103 at sections of first member 101 that extendfrom the interior of building 130 to the exterior of building 130 ateach of its respective distal ends. First member 101 is configured toapply an outward force to an interior surface of building 130 inresponse to a downward force exerted by object 120 being supported byapparatus 100. The outward force exerted by first member 101 isillustrated by vector 110.

Second member 102 and third member 103 are each coupled to first member101 and are configured to apply an inward force to the exterior surfaceof the building 130 in response to the downward force exerted by object120. The inward force exerted by second member 102 is illustrated byvector 111 and the inward outward force exerted by third member 103 isillustrated by vector 112. As will be described in more detail, firstmember 101, second member 102, and third member 103 operate to secureobject 120 to building 130 without requiring any damage and/ormodification to building 130 while complying with stringent municipalordinances and other applicable safety requirements.

First member 101 is configured to extend at least along a partial widthof an aperture of a building, e.g., a window, and abut an interiorsurface of the building on either side of the window. In someembodiments, first member 101 may extend along the entire length of thewindow or beyond the width. First member 101 may reversibly engagesecond member 102 and third member 103 by various attachment mechanisms.By way of example, first member 101 may comprise one or more notchesthat are configured to accept corresponding protrusions from secondmember 102 and third member 103 (e.g., by virtue of a male and femalearrangement). In any event, first member 101 and second member 102 mayform an engaged position second member 102 and third member 103 suchthat each is locked with respect to one another and may later bemaneuvered by a user to an unengaged position, so that each may be movedor separated from one another. The reversible engagement between firstmember 101 with second member 102 and third member 103 (whether by afastener, removable pins, or aligned notches and/or grooves) isadvantageous because it allows the dimension of apparatus 100 to beadjusted in terms of length, width, and height to accommodate objects120 of different sizes and each may be folded with respect to oneanother for packaging, transport, and the like. With each member able tobe packaged while being separated from every other member, packaging andtransport costs are greatly reduced.

Optionally, a sealing member configured to seal the interior of building130 from the exterior of building 130 may be formed around the sectionsof first member 101 extending from the interior of building 130 to theexterior of building 130 (or second member 102 and third member 103) andthe surface of a window second member 102.

First member 101 is variable along the width of the window so thatapparatus 100 may be utilized with windows of different widths. Theadjustments should be sufficient to permit a width of first member 101to be adjusted to exert sufficient outward force to the interior surfaceof building 130. In some embodiments, the width of first member 101 isadjusted so that first member 101 is sufficiently wider than a width ofthe window opening. According to one embodiment, first member 101comprises a central portion and two telescoping distal portions, each ofwhich may be actuated between a retracted and extended position toensure a desired length. According to another embodiment, first member101 may comprise two pieces, where one slides along the length ofanother to form a desired length. In either case, consistent with thediscussion herein, the length may be fixed by a reversible fastenermeans, one or more securing pins or bolts, or a latch mechanism.Finally, a soft material, such as rubber or a rubber composite, maycover first member 101 to prevent damage to the interior surface and/orwindow surrounding.

Second member 102 and third member 103 extend from respectiveintermediate sections of first member 101 and support object 120 alongtheir top surface. second member 102. The length of second member 102and third member 103 may be adjusted to accommodate different objects120 and building walls of different thickness. According to oneembodiment, second member 102 and third member 103 may comprise andouter sleeve that slides along the length of the intermediate sectionsof first member 101 extending from the interior of building 130. In thatcase, the intermediate sections of member 101 may be thought of as innersleeves, where its length of apparatus 100 is adjusted by sliding theintermediate sections of first member 101 and along the length secondmember 102 and third member 103. Length adjustments may be performed byaligning appropriate apertures in the inner sleeve and outer sleeve andinserting a securing pin or fastener through the aligned apertures.Length adjustments may also be performed by sliding the sleeves orsegments along a series notches or grooves so that it each is seated ina desired notch or groove at the desired length.

Further, it should be appreciated that second member 102 and thirdmember 103 (illustrated as a single component at FIG. 1) may, in fact,be configured with or comprise other structures that may be configuredaccording to specific dimensions of object 120. For example, secondmember 102 and third member 103 may configured with two or more rods 104or beams extending there between. The spacing between the multiple rodsor beams 104 may be configured be a user to support the edges of object120. Such a configuration is thought to be advantageous in that it willinhibit object 120 from becoming lopsided due to high winds, unbalancedweight, and the like.

The lower portions of second member 102 and third member 103 extend tobuilding 130 at an angle from their top portions, i.e., where object 120exerts a downward force illustrated by the vector 113. Accordingly,second member 102 and third member 103 structurally operate to resistthe downward force exerted by object 120 that would otherwise causeobject 120 to fall to the surface or rotate inward toward building 130.As such, second member 102 and third member 103 provide a supportiveforce, where the supportive force has at least a component perpendicularto the exterior surface of building 130, keeping object 120 separatefrom building 130. Further, first member 101 provides an equal, opposingsupporting force perpendicular to the interior surface of building 130.In this way, first member 101, second member 102, and third member 103restrain motion of object 120 with respect to building 130.

In one embodiment, second member 102 and 103 extend along the width offirst member 101 along their lower distal ends are reversibly couple toone another. Second member 102 and third member 103 may be coupled alongat a location aligned with the medial portion of first member 101.Similar to the previous discussion, each may be adjusted by slidingalong their respective length, etc. In this way, the width of apparatus101 may be varied.

The length of second member 102 and third member 103 and the angles atwhich each extend toward building 130 may vary according to differentconsiderations. For example, 1) the orthogonal or near orthogonaldistance from the surface of building 130 at which second member 102 andthird member 103 meets first member 101, and/or 2) the distance belowfirst member 101 at which second member 102 and third member 103 abutsthe surface of building 130 may be varied. This may be done toaccommodate objects of different lengths, city ordinances, applicablesafety regulations, and the like. According to one embodiment, thedistance from the surface of building 130 at which second member 102 andthird member 103 couple with first member 101 may be varied by slidingthe end of each along a series notches or grooves so that they may beseated in a desired notch or groove. According other embodiments, secondmember 102 and third member 103 can be adjusted along the length ofintermediate sections of member 101 by nut and bolt combinations,screws, or a reversible fastening mechanism, such as adjustable clampingor biasing means. For example, according to one embodiment, secondmember 102 and third member 103 may be attached to second memberintermediate section of first member 101 by a bolt or pin insertedthrough a pair of aligned apertures in each (defined through either thehorizontal or vertical surfaces of each).

The lower distal ends of second member 102 and third member 103 thatabut building 130 may be adjustable so that they remain flush againstthe surface of building 130 even where the angle of second member 102and third member 103 change with respect to the surface of building 130.In one embodiment, each comprises an adhesive material that providessufficient resistance to alter movement, holding 120) in a fixedposition. According to another embodiment, the lower end of each may bein combination with or comprise a foot such as a resilient, vibrationisolation pad secured thereto, which effectively serves as a “non-skid”pad.

As seen from the previous description, object 120 is supported alongbuilding 130 by virtue of the physical arrangement between first member101, second member 102, and third member 103, because the physicalarrangement of those components provides sufficient forces against boththe interior and exterior surfaces of building 130 in response to thedownward force exerted by object 120 on second member 102. As such, nofurther mechanical support is needed. Instead, by virtue of thisarrangement, the surfaces of building 130 are leveraged to secure object120 thereto. That is, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,the downward force exerted by object 120 on apparatus 100 operates tobias first member 101 toward the interior wall of building 130. In doingso, the bias is of sufficient magnitude to hold first member 101 at afixed position at the interior surface of building 130. Simultaneously,the downward force exerted by object 120 on apparatus 100 operates tobias second member 102 and third member 103 toward exterior surface ofbuilding 130. The bias is of sufficient magnitude to hold the lowerdistal ends of second member 102 and third member 103 at a fixedposition at the exterior surface of building 130.

Apparatus 100 may further comprise level indicator 105, which includes abubble floating in a liquid contained in an elongated, clear tube. Thelevel indicator may also include a first line disposed across the tubetoward the distal end thereof and a second line disposed across the tubetoward the proximal end thereof. After placing object 120 in an initialposition, reference may be made to level indicator 105. The angle ofsecond member 102 and third member 103 may be adjusted as describedabove, until the floating bubble indicates that object 120 is at adesired angle with respect to building 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus for supporting anobject at a window of a building according to inventive conceptsdescribed herein. According to the embodiment illustrated at FIG. 2,apparatus 200 comprises first member 201 and second member 201. Firstmember 201 comprises sections 201 a, 201 b, and 201 c and second member202 comprises 202 a, 202 b, and 202 c.

Interior section 201 a extends along at least a partial width of thewindow and abuts an interior surface of building 230. Interior section201 a supports object 120 by exerting an outward force on the interiorsurface of building 130 in response to a downward force exerted byobject 220 on apparatus 200. The outward force exerted by interiorsection 201 a is illustrated by vector 210 a.

Intermediate section 201 b extends from interior section 201 a at theinterior of building 130 to the exterior of building 230. Intermediatesection 201 b extends from interior section 201 at a distal end ofinterior section of 201 a.

Exterior section 201 c extends from intermediate section 201 b and isconfigured to support object 220 by exerting an inward force on anexterior surface of building 130 in response to the downward forceexerted by object 220. The inward force exerted by interior section 201c is illustrated by vector 211 a.

Interior section 202 a extends along at least a partial width of thewindow and abuts an interior surface of building 130. Interior section202 a supports object 220 by exerting an outward force on the interiorsurface of building 230 in response to a downward force exerted byobject 220 on apparatus 200. The outward force exerted by interiorsection 202 a is illustrated by vector 210 b.

Intermediate section 202 b extends from interior section 202 a at theinterior of building 130 to the exterior of building 230. Intermediatesection 202 b extends from interior section 202 at a distal end ofinterior section of 202 a.

Exterior section 202 c extends from intermediate section 202 b and isconfigured to support object 220 by exerting an inward force on anexterior surface of building 230 in response to the downward forceexerted by object 120. The inward force exerted by interior section 202c is illustrated by vector 211 b.

First member 201 and second member 202 may be coupled to one anotheraccording to any number of mechanisms as discussed herein. According toa preferred embodiment, each are reversibly coupled to one another alongtheir respective interior sections and exterior sections and slide ormove with respect to one another to vary the dimensions of apparatus200.

According to the operation of apparatus 200, the sum of the outwardforces exerted by the interior sections of members 201 and 202 on theinterior surface of building 230 and the inward forces exerted by theexterior sections of members 201 and 202 on the exterior surface ofbuilding 230 are sufficient to oppose the downward force of object 220.The downward force exerted by object 220 is illustrated by the vector212. In other words, the sum of the outward forces exerted by theinterior sections of members 201 and 202 on the interior surface ofbuilding 130 and the inward forces exerted by the exterior sections ofmembers 201 and 202 on the exterior surface of building are sufficientto support object 220 at the window.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus that when placed at a windowof a building supports an object at the window of the building, theapparatus comprising: a first member that, when placed at the window ofthe building, abuts an interior surface of the building and supports theobject by exerting an outward force on the interior surface of thebuilding in response to a downward force exerted by the object, wherethe first member comprises at least two sections extending from aninterior of the building to an exterior of the building; a continuoussecond member, that when coupled to one of the at least two sections ofthe first member, supports the object by exerting an inward force on anexterior surface of the building in response to the downward forceexerted by the object; and a continuous third member, that when coupledto another of the at least two sections of the first member, supportsthe object by exerting an inward force on the exterior surface of thebuilding in response to the downward force exerted by the object;wherein the continuous second member and the continuous third member areconfigured to be coupled to one another at a location of the inwardforce exerted by the continuous second and third members; whereincontinuous the second member and the continuous third member areconfigured to be coupled to the first member via a slideable adjustmentmechanism that allows a distance the apparatus extends from the windowto be adjusted.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, when the apparatusis placed at the window of the building and the object is placed on theapparatus, a sum of the outward force exerted by the first member on theinterior surface of the building and the inward forces exerted by thecontinuous second member and the continuous third member on the exteriorsurface of the building are sufficient to oppose the downward force ofthe object.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, when the apparatus isplaced at the window of the building and the object is placed on theapparatus, a sum of the outward force exerted by the first member on theinterior surface of the building and the inward forces exerted by thecontinuous second member and the continuous third member on the exteriorsurface of the building are sufficient to support the object at thewindow.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least onesupport, that, when the apparatus is placed at the window of thebuilding, extends between the continuous second member and thecontinuous third member and configured to further support the object. 5.An apparatus that when placed at a window of a building supports anobject at the window of the building, the apparatus comprising: anadjustable first member that in an extended position extends beyond awidth of the window on both sides of the window and abuts an interiorsurface of the building beyond both sides of the window in the extendedposition, where the adjustable first member, when placed at the windowof the building, supports the object by exerting an outward force on theinterior surface of the building beyond both sides of the window inresponse to a downward force exerted by the object, where the adjustablefirst member comprises a plurality of sections extending from aninterior of the building to an exterior of the building; a continuoussecond member, that when coupled to a first of the plurality of sectionsof the adjustable first member supports the object in response to thedownward force exerted by the object; and a continuous third member,that when coupled to another of the plurality of sections of theadjustable first member supports the object in response to the downwardforce exerted by the object; wherein the continuous second member andthe continuous third member are configured to be coupled to one anotherat a location aligned about a medial portion of the adjustable firstmember; wherein the continuous second member and the continuous thirdmember, when the apparatus is placed at the window of the building, arecoupled to the adjustable first member via a slideable adjustmentmechanism.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein, when the apparatus isplaced at the window of the building and the object is placed on theapparatus, a sum of the outward force exerted by the adjustable firstmember on the interior surface of the building and the forces exerted bythe continuous second member and the continuous third member on theexterior surface of the building are sufficient to oppose the downwardforce of the object.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein, when theapparatus is placed at the window of the building and the object isplaced on the apparatus, a sum of the outward force exerted by theadjustable first member on the interior surface of the building and theforces exerted by the continuous second member and the continuous thirdmember on the exterior surface of the building are sufficient to supportthe object at the window.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprisingat least one support configured to extend across the continuous secondmember and configured to further support the object.